The Effect of Weight on Pressuring Water Into the Post Hull

I posted this in the Open Forum...and meant to post it in this forum. My thanks to ncmbm and Jeremy at Surf City for their responses. I am posting it here also for any other thoughts. Thanks.

Our 1999 H-18SX port hull takes in 1 or 2 gallons when the boat has a 600-700 lbs. crew. It takes in a quart or two when the boat has a 330 lbs. crew in similar wind/wave condidtions.

We have air tested and found no leaks...regardless, we have used marine silicone sealant around the grundgeons and drain plugs...around the port holes and port caps...around the through rivets along the tramp and around the through bolts and around the plates that hold the crossbars and shrouds....and along the crossarm and around the bolts between the front crossarm and the hull. We have used sealant and marinetex along the daggerboard pocket.

Where is it that water could push through the fiberglass...where it wouldn't under less weight? Has anyone else experienced this...and found a solution? Thanks.

Check the top of the dagger wells (inside the well). The flange may have a gap. Heavier loads would cause the boat to sit lower with more water sloshing to the top of the well under way.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

again, upside down bubble test is in order